I’m constantly looking for fabulous finds to share with my fellow handbag lovers. I love shopping various consignment stores because there is always something new and, often times, limited edition, vintage and hard-to-find designer accessories that are priced less than the original retail price. That being said, I will be featuring more fab finds and the owners behind the consignment boutiques.

One of my weekly stops is Jill’s Consignment because of their fabulous haute designer deals. Whether you’re looking for Gucci, Fendi, Balenciaga, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Botkier or Chanel, there are beautiful one-of-a-kind bags arriving daily that will make you want to whip out your plastic and start shopping! I had the privilege interviewing Jill, the dynamic woman behind Jill’s Consignment, and here’s what I learned…

When did your passion for consigning begin?

I worked in a friend’s consignment shop right after graduating from college with a journalism degree. I was just doing it until I found something in journalism but absolutely fell in love with the business.

I worked in my friend’s store for about 2 years and knew that was what I wanted to do. I had the consignment “bug” I guess you could say. While working for my friend I learned the business and how to run a consignment store the right way. I know there are many that give the good ones a bad name. I began saving money to open my own store. My Mom had remarried and moved to Orlando and really wanted me there too. She loaned me the money and I moved there the next week! I found my location in just a few days and opened up in Orlando, Florida in 1996. From day one, the business was a success and quickly became the most popular consignment store in Orlando.

Do you have previous experience in retail?

Yes, from my family – I was born into the retail business. My Dad was President and owner of Furchgott’s of Florida, a large retail specialty chain and the first in North Florida to carry Gucci! That was back in the 60’s, of course!

When a new designer item arrives, what is your process for determining whether it’s good enough to resell?

It has to be in really, really good condition. Excellent is preferred, of course. And I only take certain designers like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Gucci, etc. I like items to have an original retail value of at least $500. Not all do, but most do. Of course, we have a lot of wallets, scarves, etc. with lower retail values but are very popular, so we take those as well.

What is the most rewarding aspect of having an online consignment shop?

Hmmmm… well, it’s very, very hard work contrary to what most people believe. But the rewards are great. I guess the biggest reward is getting boxes almost every day from wonderful consignors who trust us to sell their amazing items for them! And, it’s wonderful to be able to offer those items at a great savings to customers who want them but don’t want to or aren’t able to pay the full retail price.

For our consignors, we will always get the best price we can for their items, we will have them photographed, inventoried and online within 72 hours and we will pay them promptly either right away for cash outright consignors or once a month for consignment. For our customers, we will describe our items exactly as they are, we will offer them at a fair price and we will ship your item free of charge within 1-3 business days. Of course, our customers can be assured that they will only get authentic merchandise from us. I can happily report that in almost 20 years of business, we have sold thousands and thousands of bags, accessory items, pieces of jewelry and shoes and never a single fake item has gotten past us.

Who are your favorite designers?

Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta.

Do you have a closet full of designer accessories?

Ready for this…. No. I have a few LV bags and a couple of Chanel bags. That is it. I don’t buy what comes in. I am a jeans and t-shirt girl and I work behind a computer all day. The only people I see are the UPS man, the mailman and the FedEx man. I have carried the same Louis Vuitton Neverfull PM bag for the past two years!

What bag are you carrying today?

Louis Vuitton Neverfull PM. It’s the best bag. You can put so much in it and lug it around and it lasts and lasts and lasts!